Salahudin overcomes slow start, tallies 10 points on ‘Road to Derby’ in Iroquois

Sep 12, 2026 Darren Rogers/Churchill Downs Racetrack

Salahudin captured the Iroquois (G3) to kick off the Road to the Kentucky Derby (Photo by Coady Media)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026) – Zedan Racing Stables’ Salahudin is the early points leader on the 2027 “Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve” after the Uncle Mo colt overcame a slow start and rallied to win Saturday’s 45th running of the $300,000 Iroquois (Grade III) for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs by a half-length over He Is No Lie. Caribbean Life was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third, Real Goodbar was fourth and Real Gone finished fifth.

Sent to post as the odds-on 4-5 betting choice, Salahudin – an Arabic masculine name that means “righteousness of the faith” – ran one mile over a fast track in 1:36.54 under replacement jockey Jose Ortiz for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. Ortiz replaced regular rider Florent Geroux, who remained in stable condition at University of Louisville Hospital after a Thursday afternoon fall.

“We were thinking about Florent today,” Ortiz said. “I was able to watch the last two replays and see how Florent rode him and how he ran. He broke a little slow again today but got into a comfortable rhythm. He’s a big horse and takes a little time to get going into his best stride. But once he did, he kept finding more to get to the front.”

FROM LAST TO FIRST… Sound familiar? Jose Ortiz rides Salahudin to victory in the first prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby! 🌹 pic.twitter.com/ZqKklTFQTX

— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) September 12, 2026

Salahudin, unbeaten in three starts, banked the $181,710 first prize and 10 points on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” that will determine the field for next year’s 153rd Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) on May 1, 2027 at Churchill Downs. The Iroquois was the first in a series of 36 select races on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby,” and the top five finishing positions earned points on a sliding scale of 10-5-3-2-1, respectively.

Breaking from post position No. 5 in field of seven 2-year-olds, Salahudin was away slowly and spotted the field several lengths as Bearamour dictated the pace through early splits of :22.85 and :46.35 with He Is No Lie stalking from second. Salahudin only had Caribbean Life beat early on but began to move into contention around the turn with a sweeping four-wide move.

Salahudin, racing in the center of the track, poked his head in front of He Is No Lie, the Bashford Manor runner-up and Best Pal (GIII) fourth, with a furlong to the finish and grinded his way to the hard-fought triumph.

“I feel so bad for Florent being injured because he got him ready,” Baffert said. “Jose Ortiz got the horse into a nice rhythm. I’m glad he was able to take his time with him up the backside and not rush him.”

Salahudin paid $3.98, $2.82 and $2.10. He Is No Lie, under Joel Rosario at 9-2, returned $4.26 and $2.54. Caribbean Life, rallied with Flavien Prat up at odds of 2-1, paid $2.34 to show.

They were followed by Real Goodbar, Real Gone, Bearamour and Admiral’s Order. Antivenom and Blessed Flyer were scratched.

Salahudin, a Kentucky-bred, improved his record to 3-3-0-0—$392,172. Previously, he won the $250,000 Ellis Park Juvenile by 4 1/2 lengths after winning his July 17 debut at the Henderson, Ky. track by two lengths.

“It’s been a perfect progression so far to get his career started,” Baffert said. “He’s continued to mature each start.”

The dark bay or brown colt was bred by Newstead Corp. and is out of the Smart Strike mare Weekend Strike.

The next races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby come Saturday, Oct. 3 with the $650,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (GI) at Keeneland; $500,000 Champagne (GI) at Belmont Park; and $300,000 American Pharoah (GI) at Santa Anita.

Earlier on the 11-race Saturday card, 2-year-old colt Coach Pope – named for University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope, rolled to a jaw-dropping 12 1/2-length maiden win in 1:35.77 under Ortiz. The son of Tapit, trained by Kenny McPeek, ran 0.77 faster than the experienced winner Salahudin.

🏀𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗣𝗢𝗣𝗘 travels to Louisville and secures the blowout W!@jose93_ortiz assists with a confident ride for trainer @KennyMcPeek.#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/wyawVacz9S

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 12, 2026